Updated: FG approves six-week NYSC orientation, new uniform in major reform

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), extending the orientation programme from three to six weeks and introducing a new uniform for corps members as part of efforts to modernise the 53-year-old scheme.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced the approval on Monday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Olawande described the reforms as the most extensive review of the NYSC in decades, saying they are aimed at aligning the scheme with current realities, improving national service delivery and equipping young Nigerians with practical skills for self-reliance.

According to him, the orientation camp will now run for six weeks instead of the current three weeks, providing corps members with more intensive training in entrepreneurship, digital skills, vocational education and civic responsibility.

“The orientation programme will no longer be limited to the traditional three weeks. It has been expanded to six weeks to allow for more meaningful engagement, stronger skills acquisition and better preparation of our young people for life after service,” the minister said.

He also disclosed that the council approved a new NYSC uniform, noting that the existing design had remained largely unchanged for decades.

According to Olawande, the redesigned uniform is expected to reflect contemporary standards while improving the comfort, identity and overall appearance of corps members.

The minister said the reforms followed extensive consultations with stakeholders, including government agencies, security institutions, education experts, employers and youth organisations.

Beyond the extended orientation programme and uniform redesign, the reforms will strengthen entrepreneurship training, digital literacy, community development service and national integration initiatives.

He explained that the revised programme would expose corps members to modern vocational and technology-driven opportunities capable of enhancing their employability and encouraging entrepreneurship after their service year.

The reforms also place greater emphasis on security awareness, leadership development and community engagement to ensure corps members contribute more effectively to national development.

Olawande said implementation of the reforms would begin in phases, with relevant ministries and agencies working closely with the NYSC Directorate Headquarters to ensure a smooth transition.

He added that the Federal Government remains committed to preserving the core objectives of the NYSC while adapting the scheme to meet the aspirations of Nigerian youths and the country’s evolving socio-economic needs.

Established in 1973, the NYSC was created to promote national unity and integration among graduates of higher institutions across Nigeria. Although the scheme has undergone several administrative adjustments over the years, the latest reforms represent one of its most significant overhauls since inception.

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